Does spatial genetic structure increase with altitude? An answer from Picea abies in Tyrol, Austria

Unger, G. M.; Konrad, Heino; Geburek, Thomas

doi:10.1007/s00606-010-0407-x

Cited by 21 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…In this study, we observe a high neutral genetic diversity with a low differentiation between plots along an altitudinal gradient of European larch, as it is often observed in the case of forest trees (Ohsawa and Ide 2008;Alberto et al 2010;Nishimura and Setoguchi 2010;Unger et al 2011;Kurt et al 2012). However, the SGS is significantly different between the four altitudinal plots which suggest variable patterns of intra-plot genetic dynamics at the different altitudinal levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Reviewing 42 of them, Ohsawa and Ide (2008) found four different patterns of altitudinal changes in the genetic diversity of plant species, with approximately the same number of occurrences for each pattern: (1) the genetic diversity increases from the low and high altitudes to the middle of the gradient, (2) the genetic diversity decreases from low to high altitude, (3) the genetic diversity decreases from high to low altitude, and (4) the genetic diversity is unaffected by altitudinal variation. Since then, several other studies in forest trees found no variation of genetic diversity along altitudinal clines (Navascues et al 2008;Alberto et al 2010;Nishimura and Setoguchi 2010;Shanjani et al 2011;Unger et al 2011;Kurt et al 2012;Radu et al 2014) or a decreased genetic diversity at the higher altitude (Mathiasen and Premoli 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Theoretically, the harsh and cold high altitude environment may strongly affect tree survival and reproduction and thereby SGS (Unger et al 2011). Moreover, a variation in tree density (i.e., number of trees per hectare) between the altitudinal levels can also affect the within-altitudinal level seed flow by changing the opening of the canopy and the between-tree competition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While genetic diversity has been extensively studied in forest trees, only very few studies focused on how SGS could vary with altitude (Unger et al 2011;Mathiasen and Premoli 2013). In the particular case of L. decidua, to our knowledge, two studies examined genetic diversity along an altitudinal gradient (Zhao et al 2001;King et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally, they focus on locations having high environmental variation in order to determine how strongly this variation influences neutral genetic diversity (Sork et al 1999;Manel et al 2010). In this context, it is not surprising that the majority of the studies at the landscape level were conducted along altitudinal gradients (Ohsawa and Ide 2008;Alberto et al 2010;Unger et al 2011). Altitudinal gradients present the strongest environmental variations on a short geographic distance (temperature decreases by 5.5°C per kilometer with altitude (Körner 2007) but only by 0.49°C/100 km in France with latitude), and they allow a comparison of genetic diversity at different scales along the gradient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic differentiation of European larch along an altitudinal gradient in the French Alps

Nardin

Musch

Rousselle

et al. 2015

Annals of Forest Science

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& Key message Despite variable dynamics of genetic diversification at the different altitudinal levels, strong gene flow tends to standardize larch genetic diversity: the larch forest distributed along the altitudinal gradient can be regarded as a single population. & Context While in forest tree species many studies focus on the structure of the genetic diversity at the natural range and at the forest stand levels, few studies have worked at intermediate levels like the landscape level. & Aims We tried to determine to what degree altitude variation can affect the genetic diversity and the local structure of the genetic diversity of European larch (Larix decidua Miller) at the landscape level. & Methods Using microsatellite markers, we determined the between-and within-plot genetic structure and the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of four altitudinal plots distributed between 1,350 and 2,300 m a.s.l. in a European larch forest located in the French Alps. & Results A homogenous neutral genetic structure was detected along this gradient. The intensity of the SGS was found to be stronger at 2,300 m and decreased at the 2,000-m plot. It was low or non-existent at the 1,700-and 1,350-m altitudinal levels. & Conclusion Our results suggest that the genetic structure observed at the landscape level in this European larch forest was only slightly affected by climatic variation, human activities, or historical events. However, the variation of intensity of the SGS within the altitudinal plots indicates the existence Contribution of the co-authors Maxime Nardin is the PhD student in charge of the study. Dr. Brigitte Musch supervised the writing of the article, then reviewed and commented on successive drafts of the paper. Dr. Yves Rousselle reviewed and commented on successive drafts of the paper. Vanina Guerin participated in cambium sampling and development of the genetic markers, supervised and organized the genotyping, and commented on successive drafts of the paper. Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez participated in the project and trial design and establishment, cambium sampling, and project coordination. Dr. Jean-Pierre Rossi participated in cambium sampling, designed and helped in performing the spatial genetic analysis (SGS), and reviewed and commented on successive drafts of the paper. Dr. Sophie Gerber supervised the development of the genetic markers and participated in cambium sampling, trial design and establishment, and project coordination. Sara Marin participated in the trial design and establishment, increment core and cambium sampling, and microdensity preparation and analysis process. Dr. Luc E. Pâques participated in the trial design and establishment and coordination of the research project, reviewed and commented on successive drafts of the paper, and co-supervised Maxime Nardin. Dr. Philippe Rozenberg led the project and trial design and establishment, participated in cambium sampling, reviewed and commented on successive drafts of the paper, coordinated the research project, and co-supervised Maxime Nar...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic differentiation of European larch along an altitudinal gradient in the French Alps

Nardin

Musch

Rousselle

et al. 2015

Annals of Forest Science

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Fine-scale genetic structure in Tibouchina papyrus (Pohl) Toledo (Melastomataceae), an endemic and habitat-restricted species from Central Brazil

et al. 2014

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Spatial genetic structure (SGS) is the non-random distribution of genotypes in space, which is usually correlated with life history traits and is driven by ecological and demographic processes. This study aimed to use spatial statistical analysis methods to assess genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure in three known disjunct localities where Tibouchina papyrus occurs, varying in aggregation and density of individuals and in landscape characteristics. This small tree species is endemic to the ''Cerrado'' (savannas) region of Central Brazil and is also restricted to elevation rock fields (''campo rupestre''). Therefore, it can be considered a model species to help guide studies on Cerrado endemic plants that are isolated with geographic distributions restricted to this highland habitat. The analyses were based on the polymorphisms at ten microsatellite loci. Our working hypothesis was that wind-dispersed species, such as T. papyrus, present no or low SGS because of the long distance seed gene flow. The spatial genetic structure was indeed weak for two of the three populations. The intensity and shape of the SGS are related to density and aggregation (defined by Ripley's K statistic of spatial aggregation) of individuals in the three localities. Low SGS occurs in populations with aggregation patterns, corroborating the overall hypothesis, although in this species, this pattern depends on the landscape characteristics of each local population.

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Clonality as a driver of spatial genetic structure in populations of clonal tree species

Dering

Chybicki

Rączka³

2015

J Plant Res

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Random genetic drift, natural selection and restricted gene dispersal are basic factors of the spatial genetic structure (SGS) in plant populations. Clonal reproduction has a profound effect on population dynamics and genetic structure and thus emerges as a potential factor in contributing to and modelling SGS. In order to assess the impact of clonality on SGS we studied clonal structure and SGS in the population of Populus alba. Six hundred and seventy-two individuals were mapped and genotyped with 16 nuclear microsatellite markers. To answer the more general question regarding the relationship between SGS and clonality we used Sp statistics, which allows for comparisons of the extent of SGS among different studies, and the comparison of published data on SGS in clonal and non-clonal tree species. Sp statistic was extracted for 14 clonal and 27 non-clonal species belonging to 7 and 18 botanical families, respectively. Results of genetic investigations conducted in the population of P. alba showed over-domination of clonal reproduction, which resulted in very low clonal diversity (R = 0.12). Significant SGS was found at both ramet (Sp = 0.095) and genet level (Sp = 0.05) and clonal reproduction was indicated as an important but not sole driving factor of SGS. Within-population structure, probably due to family structure also contributed to high SGS. High mean dominance index (D = 0.82) indicated low intermingling among genets. Literature survey revealed that clonal tree species significantly differ from non-clonal species with respect to SGS, having 2.8-fold higher SGS. This led us to conclude that clonality is a life-history trait that can have deep impact on processes acting in populations of clonal tree species leading to significant SGS.

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Does spatial genetic structure increase with altitude? An answer from Picea abies in Tyrol, Austria

Cited by 21 publications

References 46 publications

Genetic differentiation of European larch along an altitudinal gradient in the French Alps

Genetic differentiation of European larch along an altitudinal gradient in the French Alps

Fine-scale genetic structure in Tibouchina papyrus (Pohl) Toledo (Melastomataceae), an endemic and habitat-restricted species from Central Brazil

Clonality as a driver of spatial genetic structure in populations of clonal tree species

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